Gunmen have stormed a popular cafe in the diplomatic area of the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, taking hostages, officials say.<\/p>\n
Unconfirmed reports say foreigners are among those being held in the city’s Gulshan district.<\/p>\n
A gun battle between the attackers and police wounded three people, including two officers.
\nPolice and security forces have sealed off the area and are trying to negotiate the hostages’s release.<\/p>\n
Local media reported that several gunmen had entered the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe and opened fire.
\nThe cafe is described as being popular with expatriates, diplomats and middle-class families.<\/p>\n
The Dhaka Tribune said at least 20 civilians had been taken hostage.<\/p>\n
The US embassy in Dhaka tweeted that there were “reports of shooting and hostage situation”.
\nIt is not clear who the attackers are, although a police officer told the BBC that Islamic militants were suspected.<\/p>\n
Media reports quoted witnesses as saying that “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is greatest”, was heard as the attack took place.<\/p>\n
BBC South Asia editor Jill McGivering says that although high-profile gun attacks are rare in Bangladesh, the latest incident follows a series of murders widely blamed on Islamist extremists.<\/p>\n
–
\nSource: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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